Chara grabs teammates, countrymen at All-Star Draft

For both Daniel Alfredsson and Zdeno Chara, the running theme
was teammates, old friends and countrymen at Thursday’s NHL
All-Star Fantasy Draft.

As the two captains pitted against one another in this
year’s All-Star Game, the duo clearly made familiarity a
priority when selecting their rosters.

Alfredsson nabbed all of his Ottawa teammates, leading off by
selecting Sens d-man Erik Karlsson with his first pick and center
Jason Spezza in the second round. The 39-year-old winger went with
Senators forward Milan Michalek in the 12th round after
scooping up Blues netminder Brian Elliott, who spent his first four
seasons in the NHL with Ottawa.

And while was Alfredsson was busy hording all the available Sens
and Swedes, Chara was able to get his hands on his fellow Bruins
and Slovaks.

After a surprise selection of Red Wings star Pavel Datsyuk with
the first overall pick, Chara made no hesitation in calling
teammate Tim Thomas’ name, as the veteran netminder has
earned the win in three-straight All-Star Games.

The 6-foot-9 defenseman picked each of his fellow countrymen in
the ensuing rounds, as Blackhawks winger Marian Hossa and Rangers
winger Marian Gaborik joined Team Chara.

In the penultimate round, Tyler Seguin had relief wash over him,
as Chara recruited the B’s prolific young forward with his
second-to-last pick. The two then sarcastically “hugged it
out,” as the Bruins captain helped his teammate avoid the
plight of being picked last.

Chara then had the fate of the final two names on the board in
his hands and went with Jamie Benn of the Stars, leaving Logan
Couture as the recipient of a new Honda and the dubious title of
Mr. Irrelevant for 2012.

Phil Kessel, who had the honor of going last in 2011, as well as
Dennis Wideman, were both picked by Chara, meaning three current
Bruins and two former ones will take to the ice together in
Sunday’s showdown.